The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-02-17
HER UNCLE'S FRIEND.

HEX lNCLE'S FRIEND.
The Houghton landau drew up at
the station and Louise alighted with
her friend, Sybil Travers. The latter
younglady, cladin a gray mother Hub
bard, and wearing a pretty poke bon
net piled high with ostrich feathers,
was the very picture Of elegance.
Louise was little. insignificant thing,
and she appeared, less attractive than
ever rs she made her way to the waiting
room alongside of her distinguished
looking friend.
1T is too absurd. Sybil,' she said as
they sat together in remote corner.
enjoying last confidential chat before
Miss Trayers left for the West. 1.-The
idea Of your posting off to San Francis
co all alone, simply because harmless
youth promises to come this way. and
to act as your cscort!''
1T is only three weeks earlier than
| meant to 60. anyhow said Sybil,
stoutly. You know why | prefer to
90 alone. Louise. You see Uncle Jerry
has made up his mind that propinquity
is the only thing necessary to make Mr.
Valleau and myself fall madly in love
with each other. He fancies that a
trip across the continent is especially
well calculated to bring about that
much-dcsircd result. But l don't see
it that way. ! know very well that l
should hate Mr.. Vallcau from the out
set. should feel bound to doit just for
contrariety. So. you see. | prefer to
90 home few weeks earlier. and to 90
alone; for If did wait for MIR. Valleau.
as Uncle Jerry wished me to, and if |
failed to fall in love with him. You know
very well that it would be impossible
for me to explain the phenomenon
satisfactorily. As It's. can smooth
matters over easily.
..How far-sighted you are. ..Sybil, =
Louise said. laughing. MIR. Valleau
will be terribly disappointed though, !
fear. But there's your train, dear.
Good by. Write to me as soon As you
arrive.
Then followed considerable girlish
demonstration, which provoked smile
on the lips Of nonchalant young
traveller who reclined at his ease before
one of the windows of parlor car, and
who had been watching Louise and
Sybil with interest.
"A very handsome girl, by Jove!'
was his mental comment as Sybil took
her seat just behind him, and the mir
| ror at the end Of the car enabled him to
command full view of her face. u
wonder how far she is going"
There was no means of ascertaining
just then, but when the conductor came
through the car, and the young man
presented his ticket. to which was at.
tached long string Of coupons run.
ming all the way from New York to
San Francisco, he noted with satisfac
ton that Sybil had one like it.
"A through passenger, he observed.
Il wonder who she is? Travelling
alone, too; but evidently lady. Shs
must he Californian, but she look.
like New Yorker stc.
The young mans fancy ran riot, ant
all the while he kept his eyes fixed OF
the mirrer in which was reflected Sybil'
lovely face, with its rich, warm color
ing and its beautiful frame of ripping
hair Very often their eyes met, a
was only natural; but Sybil had won
derful composure for SO young q girl
and the look of serenity she continue,
to wear rather chagrined the handsome
stranger, who had entertained hope
innocent enough in its nature, that tn
long ride over the plains might be en-
livcned with piquant Irritation.
"Pailas Athene," he said, regretfully
beautiful. but susceptible of no pas
sion that is not animated by reason
Such conclusion might have beel
rather hasty, but it appears that thi
aggressive young man IN an ulster an
traveling-cap made some pretense to
ward being reader Of character.
Meanwhile Sybil, constitutionally op
posed to .ogling," as all sensible
womanly girls are, formed prett
severe opinion Of the stranger who too
such mean advantage Of the power {
reflection. But she scorned to chang
her seat. Her policy was one of con
plete oblivion, and, settling herself CON
fortably, she soon forgot all about tn
handsome pair Of brown eyes SO dc
liberately fixed on the telltale mirror.
] The other passengers we've prett
well acquainted by the time the
reached Chicago, but Sybil, natural
reserved, and becoming more SO throug
the protective instinct which prompte
her to make few friends when trayelin
) alone, had not joined the little coteri
which soon establishes itself in ever
/ westward-bound train. Her neighbo
, nad been hatiied in several attempts
make her acquaintance, but difficult
: only fired his determination.
"She's something new in the feminin
line, by Joye she ISL he remarked
when one of his deepest-laid scheme
| had been overthrown by Sybil's court
. eous but unapproachable dignity.
1t appears that this handsom